Reinforced container construction

ABSTRACT

A container construction includes one or more containers that may be superposed and secured together with couplers. Each container includes a housing having a rear wall and two side walls, and a number of slits formed in each wall. One or more shelves each includes a number of ears engageable into the slits of the housing, for attaching the shelf to the housing. A number of coupling members each includes a channel for receiving the ears of the shelf and each includes one or more catches for engaging with the shelf, and for securing the ears of the shelf to the housing. The ears of the shelf each includes one or more notches for receiving the catches of the reinforcing member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a container construction, and more particularly to a container construction having a number of coupling members for solidly securing shelves to the container construction.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Typical cabinets or container constructions comprise a number of panels or walls that may be assembled or constructed by the users themselves, and that may also be disengaged or folded relative to each other, to form a compact configuration that is excellent for storing and transportation purposes.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,741 to Boucher-Giles, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,418 to Ogden et al. disclose two of the typical container constructions each also comprising a number of panels or walls which include two or four sides that may be engaged with each other, or that may be assembled or constructed together, to form the container constructions.

Normally, the panels or the walls may include one or more catches, grips, hooks, or the like extended from each of the sides thereof, for engaging into the corresponding sides of the other panels or the walls, and for anchoring or latching or securing the panels or the walls together.

However, the catches, grips, hooks, or the like are simply extended from each of the sides of the panels or the walls, and directly secured or anchored to the corresponding sides of the other panels or the walls, and no other securing or anchoring or reinforcing devices or members may further be provided to solidly secure the catches, grips, hooks, or the like to the other panels or walls, such that the catches, grips, hooks, or the like may be easily broken or damaged after use.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional container constructions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a container construction including a number of coupling members for solidly securing shelves to the container construction.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a container construction comprising a container including a housing having a rear wall and two side walls, and including a number of slits formed in the rear and the side walls thereof, a shelf including a number of ears extended outwardly from an outer peripheral portion thereof, and engageable into the slits of the housing respectively, for attaching the shelf to the housing, and a number of coupling members each including a channel formed therein for receiving the ears of the shelf respectively, and each including at least one catch extended therefrom, for engaging with the shelf, and for solidly securing the ears of the shelf to the housing.

The ears of the shelf each includes at least one notch formed therein, and the catch of the coupling member is engageable into the notch of the ear of the shelf, for anchoring the ears of the shelf to the housing.

The housing includes a reinforcing member provided in each of the side walls thereof, for reinforcing the side walls of the housing. The reinforcing member of the housing includes a triangular cross section.

The housing includes a bottom board attached thereto, for reinforcing a bottom portion of the housing. The bottom board includes a peripheral fence extended upwardly therefrom, for engaging with the rear and the side walls of the housing, and for solidly securing the bottom board to the housing.

The bottom board includes at least one wheel device attached thereto. The bottom board includes two sockets formed therein, and the housing includes a reinforcing member provided in each of the side walls thereof, and engageable into the sockets of the bottom board.

The sockets of the bottom board includes a triangular shape, and the reinforcing members of the housing each includes a triangular cross section for engaging into the triangular sockets of the bottom board.

The shelf includes a reinforcing member provided in a front portion thereof, for reinforcing the shelf. The reinforcing member of the shelf includes a triangular cross section. The reinforcing member of the shelf includes at least one ear extended therefrom, for engaging into the slits of the housing respectively. The ear of the reinforcing member of the shelf may further include at least one protrusion extended therefrom, for engaging with the housing, and for further solidly and stably anchoring or securing the shelf to the housing.

A second housing may further be provided and also includes a rear wall and two side walls, and a number of slits formed in the rear and the side walls thereof, and a second shelf may further be provided and may also include a number of ears extended outwardly from an outer peripheral portion thereof, and engageable into the slits of the second housing respectively, for attaching the second shelf to the second housing.

Two corner couplers may further be provided and each includes two slots formed therein, and a rib formed between the slots thereof, for receiving the walls of the housing and the second housing respectively, and thus for stably or solidly receiving and anchoring the walls of the housings together. Two front couplers may further be provided and each includes two slots formed therein, for receiving the walls of the housing and the second housing respectively, and thus for stably or solidly receiving and anchoring the walls of the housings together.

The front couplers each includes a receptacle extended therefrom, and the housing and the second housing each includes a reinforcing member provided in each of the side walls thereof, and engageable into the receptacles of the front couplers respectively. The receptacles of the front couplers each includes a triangular cross section, and the reinforcing member of the housing and the second housing each includes a triangular cross section for snugly engaging into the triangular receptacles of the front couplers respectively.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container construction in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the container construction;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial exploded view of the container construction;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating one container or container unit of the container construction;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the container or container unit of the container construction;

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 are enlarged partial perspective views of the container or container unit of the container construction;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the container or container unit of the container construction;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the container construction, taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the container construction;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating the operation of the container construction;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial exploded view of the container construction;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial perspective view similar to FIG. 12, illustrating the operation of the container construction as shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating the other arrangement of the container construction;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the container construction as shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged partial exploded view of the container construction as shown in FIGS. 15-16;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the container construction as shown in FIGS. 15-17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 15, illustrating the operation of the container construction as shown in FIGS. 15-18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view similar to FIGS. 4, 11, 15, 19 illustrating the further arrangement of the container construction;

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the container construction as shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the container construction as shown in FIGS. 20-21; and

FIG. 23 is a perspective view similar to FIGS. 4, 11, 15, 19, 20, illustrating the operation of the container construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a container construction in accordance with the present invention comprises one or more container units or containers 1 that may be superposed or stacked or coupled together, to form a two or more layers construction. The container units or containers 1 may be made of paper boards, fiber panels, plastic boards, metal plates, or the like.

As best shown in FIGS. 4-8, each of the containers 1 includes a housing 10 having a rear wall 11, and two side walls 12 formed integral with each other, and folded relative to each other, to form a substantially U-shaped configuration, to form or define an open front portion 13, an open upper portion 14, and an open bottom portion 15 respectively; and includes one or more shelves 20 to be attached or anchored or secured between the side walls 12 of the housing 10.

For example, the shelves 20 may include a wavy shaped structure, such as a W-shaped structure as shown in FIGS. 1-2, 4-5, 9-11, or a V-shaped structure as shown in FIGS. 15-19, or may include a planer shaped structure as shown in FIGS. 20-22, for supporting various objects 80 thereon, as shown in FIGS. 1, 11, and 19-20. The other objects 88, particularly the wetted objects 88 may be attached or hooked or hung onto the walls 11, 12 of the housing 10 (FIG. 23).

The housing 10 may include a folded tubular or reinforcing member 16 formed and provided in the front portion of each of the side walls 12 thereof, and preferably having a triangular cross section, for reinforcing the side walls 12 of the housing 10. Similarly, each of the shelves 20 may also include a folded tubular or reinforcing member 23 formed and provided in the front portion thereof, and preferably having a triangular cross section, for reinforcing the front portion of the shelves 20.

The housing 10 further includes one or more orifices 17 formed in the upper portion of each of the side walls 12 thereof, for forming as hand grips, and for being grasped or held by the users, and further includes a number of slits 18 formed and provided in each of the walls 11, 12 thereof, and arranged corresponding to the W-shaped structure, or the V-shaped structure, or the planer shaped structure of the shelves 20, for attaching or securing the shelves 20 to the housing 10.

For example, the shelves 20 may each include a number of ears 21 extended outwardly from the outer peripheral portion thereof, and engageable into or through the slits 18 of the housing 10 respectively, for attaching or securing to the housing 10. The folded tubular members 23 of the shelves 20 each may also includes one or more ears 21 extended outwardly from the end portions thereof (FIG. 6), and engageable into or through the slits 18 of the housing 10 respectively, and one or more protrusions 24 extended from each of the ears 21, for engaging with the housing 10, and for further solidly attaching or securing the shelves 20 to the housing 10.

As best shown in FIG. 7, each of the ears 21 includes one or more notches 22 formed therein. A number of securing and coupling devices or members 30 may further be provided for engaging with the ears 21 of the shelves 20, and for further solidly attaching or securing the shelves 20 to the housing 10. The coupling members 30 each includes a channel 31 formed therein for receiving and for engaging with the ears 21 of the shelves 20 respectively (FIGS. 12-14).

As best shown in FIG. 8, the coupling members 30 each further includes one or more projections or catches 32 extended therefrom, such as extended into the channel 31 thereof, and engageable into the notches 22 of the ears 21 of the shelves 20 respectively by moving or forcing the coupling members 30 relative to the shelves 20 respectively, in order to solidly secure the ears 21 and thus the shelves 20 to the housing 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, two corner couplers 40 and two front couplers 50 may further be provided and engaged between the two housings 10 of the container units or containers 1 that are superposed or stacked together, to solidly couple the superposed housings 10 together. The corner couplers 40 each includes two V-shaped slots 41, 42 formed in the upper and the lower portions thereof, and a rib 43 formed or defined between the slots 41, 42 thereof, for receiving the corners or the walls 11, 12 of the housings 10 respectively.

The front couplers 50 each also includes two slots 51, 52 formed in the upper and the lower portions thereof, for receiving the walls 11, 12 of the housings 10 respectively, and a receptacle 53 extended therefrom, and having a triangular cross section, corresponding to that of the folded tubular members 16 of the housings 10 respectively, for partially receiving the folded tubular members 16 of the housings 10 respectively, and for stably and solidly coupling the housings 10 together.

As shown in the drawings, the container construction further includes a bottom board 60 attached or secured to the housings 10 of the lowest container unit or container 1 with such as fasteners or latches (not shown), or adhesive materials, or by welding processes, or the like, for reinforcing the bottom portion of the housing 10, and the bottom board 60 may include a peripheral fence 61 extended upwardly from the outer peripheral portion thereof, for engaging with the walls 11, 12 of the housing 10, and for solidly attaching or securing the bottom board 60 to the housing 10 of the lowest container unit or container 1.

The bottom board 60 may further include one or more wheel devices 62 attached to the bottom thereof, for allowing the housings 10 of the container units or containers 1 to be moved or carried everywhere. It is preferable that the bottom board 60 further includes one or more, such as two sockets 63, particularly the triangular-shaped sockets 63 formed therein, for receiving and anchoring the folded tubular members 16 of the housings 10 respectively, and for stably and solidly coupling the bottom board 60 to the housing 10.

In operation, as shown in FIGS. 1, 11, and 19-20, the shelves 20 of the housings 10 may be provided for supporting various objects 80 thereon, such as books, compact discs, video tapes, or the like, and the other objects 88, particularly the wetted objects 88 may be attached or hooked or hung onto the walls 11, 12 of the housing 10, as shown in FIG. 23. The housing 10 may include one or more troughs 70 attached to the outer and bottom portions of the walls 11, 12 thereof, and a spongy member 77 may be received in each of the troughs 70, for receiving or absorbing the water dropped from the objects 88.

It is to be noted that the walls 11, 12 of the housings 10, and the shelves 20, and the couplers 40, 50, and the bottom board 60 may be disengaged or separated from each other, and may thus be packaged in a compact configuration that is excellent for storing and transportation purposes, and may also be assembled or secured or attached or superposed together by the users themselves, for supporting various objects 80, 88. The ears 21 of the shelves 20 may be solidly secured or coupled to the walls 11, 12 of the housings 10 with the coupling members 30.

Accordingly, the container construction in accordance with the present invention includes a number of coupling members for solidly securing the shelves to the housings of container construction respectively, and for preventing the shelves from being disengaged from the housings.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A container construction comprising: a container including a housing having a rear wall and two side walls, and including a plurality of slits formed in said rear and said side walls thereof, a shelf including a plurality of ears extended outwardly from an outer peripheral portion and engageable into said slits of said housing respectively, for attaching said shelf to said housing, and a plurality of coupling members each including a channel formed therein for receiving said ears of said shelf respectively, and each including at least one catch extended therefrom, for engaging with said shelf, and for securing said ears of said shelf to said housing.
 2. The container construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ears of said shelf each includes at least one notch formed therein, and said at least one catch of said coupling member is engageable into said at least one notch of said ear of said shelf, for anchoring said ears of said shelf to said housing.
 3. The container construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a reinforcing member provided in each of said side walls thereof, for reinforcing said side walls of said housing.
 4. The container construction as claimed in claim 3, wherein said reinforcing member includes a triangular cross section.
 5. The container construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a bottom board attached thereto, for reinforcing a bottom portion of said housing.
 6. The container construction as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bottom board includes a peripheral fence extended upwardly therefrom, for engaging with said rear and said side walls of said housing, and for solidly securing said bottom board to said housing.
 7. The container construction as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bottom board includes at least one wheel device attached thereto.
 8. The container construction as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bottom board includes two sockets formed therein, and said housing includes a reinforcing member provided in each of said side walls and engageable into said sockets of said bottom board.
 9. The container construction as claimed in claim 8, wherein said sockets of said bottom board includes a triangular shape, and said reinforcing members of said housing each includes a triangular cross section for engaging into said triangular sockets of said bottom board.
 10. The container construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shelf includes a reinforcing member provided in a front portion thereof, for reinforcing said shelf.
 11. The container construction as claimed in claim 10, wherein said reinforcing member of said shelf includes a triangular cross section.
 12. The container construction as claimed in claim 10, wherein said reinforcing member of said shelf includes at least one ear extended therefrom, for engaging into said slits of said housing respectively.
 13. The container construction as claimed in claim 12, wherein said at least one ear of said reinforcing member of said shelf includes at least one protrusion extended therefrom, for engaging with said housing.
 14. The container construction as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a second housing including a rear wall and two side walls, and a plurality of slits formed in said rear and said side walls thereof, and a second shelf including a plurality of ears extended outwardly from an outer peripheral portion thereof, and engageable into said slits of said second housing respectively, for attaching said second shelf to said second housing.
 15. The container construction as claimed in claim 14 further comprising two corner couplers each including two slots formed therein, and a rib formed between said slots thereof, for receiving said walls of said housing and said second housing respectively.
 16. The container construction as claimed in claim 14 further comprising two front couplers each including two slots formed therein, for receiving said walls of said housing and said second housing respectively.
 17. The container construction as claimed in claim 16, wherein said front couplers each includes a receptacle extended therefrom, and said housing and said second housing each includes a reinforcing member provided in each of said side walls thereof, and engageable into said receptacles of said front couplers respectively.
 18. The container construction as claimed in claim 17, wherein said receptacles of said front couplers each includes a triangular cross section, and said reinforcing member of said housing and said second housing each includes a triangular cross section for engaging into said triangular receptacles of said front couplers respectively. 